Handbag Love

 

A light Summer handbag I made from lovely Olivades fabric, which I bought in Aix en Provence a couple of years ago. 

A few more handbags I made recently. The red and blue one is made from a lovely cheater material.  I made the handbag, notebook cover, tissue holder and Iphone case all from a half yard of this nice material.

Handbag with matching notebook cover, tissue holder and Iphone case.

Up close

A colleague asked me make a handbag for her daughter in purple or pink. I decided to make a few versions and let her choose. She choose the purple one. I'll keep the others for my charity craft sale later in the year.

Purple patchwork handbag - a gift for a colleague's daughter.

Pink version of patchwork child's bag.

Another version of the pink patchwork little girl's handbag. 

Another pretty handbag for a  little girl.

The back of the bag.

June

Today, 1st of June is the start of our Summer here in Ireland.  A disappointing start, I might add, as it's been pouring rain for most of this bank holiday weekend. We Irish are a bit obsessed with the weather, we hope and pray for some fine sunny weather over the Summer months dv!

Foxglove - resplendent pink.
(As children my Father used to call it the "Fairy Thimble"). 

However, there is so much to look forward to like our forthcoming holidays in France (well one has to ensure that one gets an adequate amount of sunshine before the long cold winter months start again!). Also there are family gatherings/barbecues and picnic days out to plan and look forward to.

Creative moment.

I made this little bib for my Granddaughter yesterday evening.  It was pouring rain all day, so it was a perfect way to spend the hours. I made up a template and I like the way it turned out. I quilted it to make it sturdy.

A pretty little bib for my very special Granddaughter.

Flowers of the Fairest and Blossoms the Rarest!

Say a little prayer or aspiration for the people of Nepal.  Their lives and their world has been shattered, so badly, we cannot even comprehend.  These beautiful people need our help, but also our prayers.  May God help them.

I lit a candle on my little May Alter to say a prayer for those in need. It can do no harm. 

Happy New Year

Silver and Gold

Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver, these are gold.
New-made friendships, like new wine,
Age will mellow and refine.
Friendships that have stood the test-
Time and change-are surely best;
Brow may wrinkle, hair grow gray;
Friendship never knows decay.
For 'mid old friends, tried and true,
Once more we our youth renew.
But old friends, alas! may die;
New friends must their place supply.
Cherish friendship in your breast-
New is good, but old is best;
Make new friends, but keep the old;
Those are silver, these are gold.

What is real endures;
   it is as true of friendship as of other kinds of love.

Judy Garland - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Festive Season

Life flows on here as Advent, the beginning of the new church calendar and the festive season arrive upon us once more.

It has been ages since I have blogged anything. With a lot of projects still to finish and gift making in full swing, as well as minding my new granddaughter two days a week, I haven't had the time to consider what to write. Today, as I finish putting up the Christmas decorations and prepare to write my Christmas cards, a tradition I love, and one I sincerely hope will never die out, I feel inclined to write down how fortunate and blessed I and my family are.  Thank God for all the love and good fortune we have in our lives.

Below are some items I made for a few nieces' and nephews' children.

Handmade Santa envelopes with personalised Christmas cards.

Personalised Christmas cards for my nieces in Canada

Front of Santa envelope - finished

Back of Santa envelope

Outside of the Santa envelope completed, just to add the interfacing and lining. 

Work in progress - Christmas envelopes